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Talking about generations

Every generation has a set of defining features. See some of the defining aspects of the latest generations.

The Lost Generation is typically considered to included people born between 1883 and 1900.

The Lost Generation is commonly considered to describe those who consider their lives as divided into a before, a during and an after World War I.

The Greatest Generation includes people born 1925 through 1945.

World War II is considered to be this generation's defining experience. Tom Brokaw dubbed this the Greatest Generation in a book by the same name.

The Silent Generation, commonly defined as those who were to young to join the service during World War II, were born 1925 through 1945.

The "Silent Generation" label was solidified in 1951 when Time used the term to define the generation in a cover story about coming of age during the Great Depression.

Baby Boomers, generally accepted to include post World War II babies born 1946 to 1964, are perhaps the best known generation.

In addition to the size of the group, Boomers are the wealthiest generation of all time. Boomers identify with the shared experienced of: the Cuban Missile Crisis, assassination of JFK, Woodstock, Watergate and Cold War.

Generation X, alternatively know as the 13th Generation and the Baby Busters, includes those born 1965 to 1981.

Gen Xers are considered to have been in part shaped by world events including: 1979 energy crisis, the Chernobyl disaster, Shuttle Challenger disaster, the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Cold War.

Millennials, also know as Generation Y, Generation Next or Echo Boomers, follow Generation Y and starts around 1981 and ends around 1999. Precise start and end dates for this generation have not become widely accepted.

This group includes those who charmingly refer to themselves as the "eighties babies". Not surprisingly, the Pew Research Center has characterized Millennials as being "upbeat, self-expressive, and receptive to new ideas and ways of living.

Chances are while their parents are still mastering the desktop computer, their generation Z child has already mastered tablets, downloaded their favorite apps onto their parent's smart phone, and have hundreds of Facebook friends and followers they've never met. Why? This generation doesn't know anything about the world before the internet took over. They were born approximately between 1994-2004.

While the criticisms of this generation include being materialistic, having very short attention spans, and lacking face-to-face communication skills, they're technological savvy can bring and inspire a wave of advancements for all professions.

Lets not forget they also have been molded by a post 9/11 country and seek to make an impacting change on their society. Such as, Kayden Ence, who was awarded the 2011 Champion of Change award for organizing 9 robotic clubs with over 100 students to promote careers in robotics and computer engineering.

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